Cameron Green Becomes IPL's Third-Highest Purchase in History
Cameron Green's Record-Breaking Auction
The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction kicked off with a bang as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering Rs 25.20 crores. This acquisition marks him as the third-most expensive player ever in IPL history and the highest-priced overseas player to date.
Details of the Bidding Process
The bidding for Green saw fierce competition, particularly between KKR and the Rajasthan Royals. The Royals withdrew their bid at approximately Rs 13 crores, allowing the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to enter the fray, which drove the price beyond Rs 20 crores. CSK's bid reached Rs 25 crores, but KKR ultimately secured Green with a final bid of Rs 25.20 crores.
In his T20 International career, Green has amassed 521 runs across 21 matches, averaging 32.56 with a strike rate of 160.30, including six fifties. In total, he has scored 1,334 runs in 63 T20 matches at an average of 33.35, featuring a century and seven fifties, along with 28 wickets at an average exceeding 34.
Previously, Green played for the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL seasons of 2023 and 2024, where he scored 707 runs in 29 matches at an impressive average of 41.58 and a strike rate above 153, including a century and two fifties. However, he missed last season's auction due to an injury.
Understanding Green's Earnings
Despite the winning bid of Rs 25.20 crores, Green will only receive Rs 18 crores for the IPL 2026 season. This is due to a new 'maximum fee' rule implemented by the IPL last year, aimed at addressing concerns from franchises regarding the auction process for overseas players. Under this rule, no overseas player can earn more than Rs 18 crores, which is the highest retention price for franchises ahead of the 2025 mega auction.
If a bid surpasses the Rs 18 crore limit, the excess funds will be allocated by the BCCI for player welfare initiatives. The IPL clarified that any overseas player's auction fee in smaller auctions will be capped at the highest retention price or the highest auction price from the major auction.
Domestic Players Who Remained Unsold
In contrast, notable domestic players like Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold despite their impressive performances. Shaw, who also went unsold last season, had a commendable showing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) this year, scoring 183 runs in seven matches at an average of 26.14 and a strike rate exceeding 160, including two fifties.
In the Ranji Trophy, he accumulated 470 runs in five matches, averaging 67.14 with one century and three fifties. Similarly, Sarfaraz Khan, who has scored 585 runs in 50 IPL matches, showcased his skills in SMAT 2025/26, scoring 329 runs in seven matches at an average of 65.08 and a strike rate over 203, including three fifties.